Personal Statement
My name is Kennedy Taylor. I was born and raised in Greenville, SC to Jerry and Tonya Taylor along with my old brother Jerry. From a very young age of five, I have always known that I wanted to play basketball. I have been blessed to have the support system from my parents, coaches, school and teammates. My parents enrolled me in Upward at the age of five. They noticed I loved playing basketball when I started sleeping with it. Shortly afterwards, my parents enrolled me in the YMCA girls basketball team where I met my coach that I have now, Stephen Moore and LaCheryl Smith. Coach Moore saw something in me and introduced my parents and I to church ball and now AAU. From there on my career has grown to where it is now. I've played with the SC Flames; AAU (Barry Newkirk & Stephen Moore), Legacy Elite; AAU (Stephen Moore & LaCheryl Smith), Legacy Express; AAU (LaCheryl Smith & Stephen Moore) and Carolina Shock Elite ; AAU (LaCheryl Smith). As of today, I play with the Carolina Hoopzters under( Willis Holliday). Willis has coached Shayla Bennett who will play with UNC.
Basketball has become not just a sport, but a passion and has made me into the person that I am now. I'm blessed to have supportive teammates who I have learned so much from and we continue to grow together. We work very hard at what we do to make us all great basketball players. At this time, I am a 9th grade freshman in high school who has made the varsity basketball team. My goal is to continue learning and taking in everything my coaches and teachers teach me so that I can get into Div 1 college and play college basketball. My next goal is to play professional basketball like my uncle Carnell Warner who played with the Lakers in 1975-1977. My uncle has been an important part of my life and gives me guidance on how to become a great player and person. My cousin Ruthie Bolton played at the collegiate, Olympic and professional levels of women's basketball with the Sacramento Monarchs in 1997-2004. With the help of so many people, I strive to become a great player, but most importantly, a mentor to others so that I can give back and make my family and coaches proud.